The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1887-03-03
she won,t turn Won out OF tne NOUS. :


be my only excuse for telling her."
@Go! where! In your preoccupation with
that girl you haven't even found the trail by
which Manuel escapeds Do you intend to
camp outside the house and make eyes at her
when she comes to the Window" ...-s,
Because you think nothing Of flirting
with Mrs. Hale" said Falkner bitterly, "you
@My dear Ned" said Lee, "the fact that
Mrs Hale has husband and knows that she
can't marry me puts US on equal terms.
Nothing that she could learn about me here
after would make a Irritation with me any
less wrong than it would be now, or make
her seem more a victim. Can you say the
same of yourself and that Puritan girln
9But You did not advise me to keep aloof
from her; on the contrary, YOU
II thought you might make the best of the
situation and pay her some attention, because
you could not go any further"
"You thought was utterly heartless and
selfish, hlse"-- .s.s ..s
GNedr .s"
Falkner walked rapidly to the fireplace and
returned. .....
Forgive me, George-Tm fool-and an
ungrateful one" .. .--.. ..-.s
Lee did not reply at once, although he took
and retained the hand FalSner had impul-
sively extended. promise me" he said
slowly, after q pause, "that you will say moth
ing vet to either of these women. / askit for
your own sake and this girls, not for mine.
If, on the contrary, you are tempted to do so
from any Ouixotic idea of honor, remember
that you will only precipitate something that
will oblige you, from that same sense of
honor, to separate from the girl forever"
II don't understand"
@Enoughp said he, with quick return of
his old reckless gayety. "Shoot-off- his-mouth,
the beardless boy chief Of the Sierras, has
spoken! Let the pale face with the black
mustache ponder and beware how he talks
hereafter to the Ripping Cochituate Water!
Cor ... ......s.
Nevertheless, as soon as the door had closed
upon Falkner, Lees smile vanished. With
his colorless face turned to the fading light at
the window, the hollows in his temples and
the lines in the corners Of his eyes seemed to
motionless and absorbed in thought SO deep
that the light rustic of a skirt, that would at
other times have thrilled his sensitive ear,
passed unheeded. At last, throwing off his
reverie with the full and unrestrained sigh of
a man who believes himself alone, he was
startled by the soft laugh of Mrs. Hale, who
had entered the room unperceived.
"Dear mel How portentous Really.
almost feel as if were interrupting tete-a-
tete between yourself and some old fame.
haven't heard anything SO old-fashioned and
conservative as that sigh since have been in
California. I thought you never had any
Past out herer
the light, and the unmistakable expression of
annoyance and impotence which passed over
It was spared her. There was, however. still
enough dissonance in his manner to affect
her quick feminine sense, and when she drew
nearer to him it was with a certain maiden
like timidity. ... ---
/ "You are not worse, Mr. Lee. hopes
You have not over exerted yourself" ..-.
"There's little chance of that with one leg
If not in the grave at least mummified
with bandages," he replied, with bitterness
new to him. ...- 81 ID .~-.-
"Shall loosen thema Perhaps they are
too tight. There is nothing SO irritating to
one as the sensation of being tightly bound"
The light touch of her hand upon the rug
that covered his kness, the thoughtful ten-
derness of the blue yeined lids, and the deli
cate atmosphere that seemed to surround her
like perfume cleared his face of its shadow
and brought back tho reckless fire into his
blue eyes. f. . -- sE.E
II suppose I'rl intolcrant of all bonds" he
said, looking at her intently, lin others as
well as myself" -.
Whether or not sho detected any double
meaning in his words she was obliged to &C
cept the challenge of his direct gaze and,
raising her eyes to his, drew back little
from him with slight increase OF color.
II was afraid you had heard bad news just
now" ,
"What would you call bad newsf' asked
Lee, clasping his hands behind his head and
leaning back on the sofa, but without with
drawing his eyes from her face. -.-Ff 81
aOh, any news that would interrupt your
convalescence or break up our little family
party" said Mrs. Hale. "You have been
getting on so well that really it would seem
cruel to have anything interfere with cur
life Of forgetting and being forgotten. But
she added with apprehensive quickness, ''has
anything happcnedl is there really any
ft,o FRO; NJ.
Falkner said the snow had recommended in
the pass. Has he seen anything, noticed any
thing different" - 50
She looked so very pretty, with the rare,
genuine and youthful excitement that trans
figured her wearied and wearying regularity
of feature, that Lee contented himself with
drinking in her prettiness as he would have
inhaled the perfume of some flower. g.
"Wby do you look at me so, Mr. Lees" she
asked, with a slight smile. 81 believe some
thing has happened. Mr.. Falkner has
brought you some intelligence
HHe has certainly found out something
did not foresee.o
sand that troubles your
sit does"
SIS it q secretp
"No."
''Then suppose you will tell it to me at
dinner she said, with little tone of relief.
81 am afraid If I tell it at all must tell it
now" he said, CHANGING at the door
"You must do as you think BEST she said,
coldly, '.as it seems to be secret after ALL
She hesitated "Kate is dressing, and win
not be down in some time, y
$50 much the better. For am afraid that
Ned has made a poor return to your hospi-
tally by falling in love with her"
"Impossible! He has known her for
scarcely week.
II ann afraid we won't agree as to the
length Of time necessary to appreciate and
love woman. I think 1t can be done Ia
seven days and four hours, the exact time we
have been heren - =
"Yes; but as Kate was not In when you
arrived, and did not come until later, you
must take of at least one hour" said Mrs
Hale gayly.
Med can. shall not abate second" =
but are you not mistaken in bis feel
ingsio she continued hurriediy. He cer-
tainly has not said anything to her.
is'rhnt n Iis i,ek r,o1d nv, honor and reason